Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sports Coupe to Make Debut in LA

12 December 2000

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sports Coupe to Make Debut in Los Angeles New C-Class Sedan Already a Hit - 2001 to Include Brazil Production

MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 11 On the heels of the phenomenal
success of the all-new C-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz will hold the North
American debut of its new C-Class sports coupe during press activities
preceding the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, January 6-14 at the L.A.
Convention Center. Visually distinctive and noticeably smaller than both the
C-Class sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLK coupe line, the sporty two-door coupe
version of the highly successful C-Class will go on sale in the U.S. this
summer.
Sedan Sibling Already A Hit
When the sleek new four-door became an instant sales success this fall in
the U.S., the global Mercedes-Benz organization began looking at ways to meet
this growing market demand. As a result, shipments of C-Class sedans from
Germany will be supplemented by production from Brazil beginning early next
year. The Mercedes-Benz plant in Juiz de Fora, near Sao Paulo, has been
turning out cars with quality that rivals the factories in Germany.
The Least Expensive Mercedes-Benz in the U.S.
A U.S. version of the new sports coupe will arrive in the States next
summer with the 2.3-liter supercharged engine that powers the popular SLK
roadster, and the new model is expected to be priced well under $30,000.
The new sports coupe can be distinguished by its high back with a
functional aerodynamic spoiler and a tinted panel between the rear lights. In
addition, a three-pointed star in the grill clearly identifies the two-door
coupe as one of the sportier members of the Mercedes-Benz family.
Shorter and Lower Than the C-Class Sedan
The C-Class sports coupe is over seven inches shorter than its sedan
sibling, and the coupe is about a half inch lower as well. However, legroom,
headroom, and elbowroom, as well as the adjustment range of the seats, are
nearly as generous as in the sedan. The driver and front passenger have
contoured sports seats with extra lateral support, while the two rear seats
are asymmetrically divided and can be folded forward either individually or
together, to increase cargo volume to 38.9 cubic feet. Low liftover height
makes easy work of loading this spacious luggage area.
Windows Between the Taillights And in the Roof
The sporty styling of the cockpit is accented by high-quality aluminum
trim and a three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated control buttons for the
car radio, telephone and other functions.
The panel between the taillights doubles as a window, giving the driver
extra visibility to the rear, which is especially helpful when parking. The
new sports coupe will also be available with an optional panorama sliding
sunroof. From the front windshield to the rear spoiler, nearly everything is
glass.
Just press a button, and the front half of the roof glides over the rear,
leaving a roof opening that is about a third larger than a conventional
sunroof. And because the front part of the panorama sunroof slides over the
outside of the car, it doesn't reduce headroom. Two electrically operated
roller blinds on the inside shade the interior from the sun when the roof is
closed.
All the technical innovations that will make the new C-Class sedan such a
trendsetter in the U.S. have also found their way into the sports coupe -
everything from curtain side airbags and the ESP stability system to the
optional COMAND integrated display with GPS navigation and an enhanced Tele
Aid system.
The new sports coupe is the first step in the evolution of the C-Class
from a sedan family to a comprehensive model line. In addition to the
youthful sports coupe, an elegant wagon and a high-performance AMG sedan
version will also be added to the lineup during 2001.